Victoria Ezell, an aunt of Maze, asked Belk why officers didn't arrest Jahleel Hoskins that day after the woman said she had been assaulted inside the couple's Burton Street SW apartment.

"Why then would she go through all the trouble to call you and then refuse to leave," a teary Ezell asked Belk at a community prayer forum.

Belk explained officers didn’t have enough evidence to charge Jahleel Hoskins, 25, with a crime because he denied harming Maze, who told investigators she wasn't in fear for her safety.

“Officers asked them if they had somewhere to go as a way to be separated, but neither would leave the house and we can’t legally force them,” said Belk.

Ezell’s reply came immediately.

"It doesn’t make any sense at all. Neighbors knew what she was going through and you didn’t arrest him (then),” she said.

On April 23, a month after that encounter on the last day Maze was seen alive, investigators picked up Hoskins on an alleged parole violation and arrested his friend Gregory Shanklin for allegedly lying during an investigative subpoena hearing.

Grand Rapids investigators have been working several angles of the case since Maze's disappearance, Belk told MLive and The Grand Rapids Press. Authorities have searched her home, taken tips from the public and used subpoenas to build their case against Hoskins and others.

On May 3, police told the woman's family members that they believed she was dead. And on Wednesday, Hoskins was charged with her murder with authorities saying they believed Maze's body was placed in a Dumpster and that she had been incinerated.

Community members on Thursday rallied around Maze's relatives, offering support and prayers in a forum at the Mount Zion Church of God, 718 Lafayette St. SE. People in the crowd said they need to work to stop violence.

“Don’t blame the police. We have let it come to this," radio host Robert S. said, while also praising Maze's relatives for pushing for answers.

“When the ball was being dropped on Latrice Maze’s case you were the ones that asked the tough questions. You kept on the forefront and that’s not an easy task,” he said.